Each day in November—leading up to the winter meetings—Sporting News will analyze the offseason to-do list of a major league team. Today: the Philadelphia Phillies.

A late-season surge prevented the Philadelphia Phillies from suffering their first losing season since 2002, but it wasn’t enough to secure the team’s sixth consecutive NL East title. In fact, the Phillies found themselves in the unfamiliar role of sellers before the trading deadline. As a result, they have several needs to address.

OFFSEASON AGENDA

Philadelphia’s shopping list includes a couple of outfielders, a third baseman and a reliever.

Two-thirds of the team’s primary starting outfield trio from 2012 already is gone, and the other one-third could leave via free agency. Right fielder Hunter Pence was dealt to the San Francisco Giants, with whom he became an orator and a World Series champion; center fielder Shane Victorino was shipped to the Los Angeles Dodgers, with whom he is unlikely to re-sign following their subsequent acquisition of Carl Crawford; and left fielder Juan Pierre is a free agent.

A Victorino return is a possibility, and the Phillies have been linked to every free-agent outfielder from Josh Hamilton to Michael Bourn to B.J. Upton to Cody Ross. Trade candidates include the Minnesota Twins’ Denard Span, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Justin Upton and the Cleveland Indians’ Shin-Soo Choo. Philadelphia has two promising young outfielders on its roster in Domonic Brown and Darin Ruf, but starting them both is a risk the offense can’t take.

The third base crop isn’t strong in free agency, though the Phillies reportedly are interested in Kevin Youkilis. If they choose to address the position internally, Freddy Galvis and the recently re-signed Kevin Frandsen are options.

The bridge to closer Jonathan Papelbon became a major concern this past season, when the Phillies’ bullpen posted a 3.94 ERA (21st in the majors). Adding a setup man is a must, either through trade or free agency.

“I think it behooves us to at least explore the opportunity to improve that. It was an Achilles’ heel for us, there's no question. We may have those guys in-house, but I think we're doing ourselves a disservice if we don't at least explore the possibility of improving that area,” Ruben Amaro Jr. told the team’s website.

Finally, there is the health of three aging stars. First baseman Ryan Howard, who understandably wasn’t in top condition after returning in July from Achilles’ tendon surgery, must get in prime shape this offseason. Right-hander Roy Halladay must continue to strengthen his achy shoulder, which limited him to 25 starts in 2012. And second baseman Chase Utley’s offseason orders are simple: Rest those aching knees.

POSSIBLE DEPARTURES

Longtime third baseman Placido Polanco will leave via free agency, as will utilityman Ty Wigginton and backup catcher Brian Schneider. Pierre also will test the market but could return.

It is unlikely the team will trade any regulars, though there are certain to be rumors surrounding left-hander Cliff Lee as the winter meetings approach.

EARLY 2013 OUTLOOK

The Phillies’ NL East reign came to an abrupt halt this past season, at least one season earlier than expected. The Washington Nationals are primed for an extended run atop the division, leaving Philadelphia to battle the Atlanta Braves for second place and one of the NL wild-card berths. The Phillies’ success will depend largely on their rotation, where they have made the biggest investment (Halladay, Lee and Cole Hamels will make a combined $64.5 million in 2013). A bounce-back season from Halladay is a must.